Dogs Honor

Nature Study

Requirements

1. Give the scientific name of the domestic dog.

   Answer: The scientific name of the domestic dog is Canis lupus familiaris (some authors use Canis familiaris). It belongs to the genus Canis, the same origin as the wolf (Canis lupus), domesticated more than 15,000 years ago. The nomenclature follows the binomial system created by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. — Genetic studies confirm that the dog (Canis lupus familiaris) descends from the gray wolf (Canis lupus), with the first domestications between 15,000-30,000 years ago in Eurasia. The IUCN and most modern taxonomists consider the dog a subspecies of the wolf, hence the trinomial name used today.

2. Mention 5 distinctive characteristics of the family Canidae.

   Answer: 5 characteristics of the family Canidae: 1) a slender body with long limbs for running; 2) non-retractable claws (unlike felines); 3) carnivorous dentition with 42 teeth including long canines; 4) highly developed sense of smell and hearing; 5) social behavior — they live in packs or pairs with a well-defined hierarchy. — The family Canidae includes about 35 species (wolves, foxes, coyotes, jackals, dogs) distributed across all continents except Antarctica. The canine sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than the human one (200-300 million olfactory receptors vs 5 million in humans). The dentition is typical of carnivores.

3. Identify from photographs/pictures, or in real life, 5 wild members of the dog family.

   Answer: 5 wild members of the family Canidae: 1) gray wolf (Canis lupus); 2) red fox (Vulpes vulpes); 3) coyote (Canis latrans); 4) golden jackal (Canis aureus); 5) crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous, native to Brazil). All share the family's characteristics but live free in the wild. — The crab-eating fox is native to South America and occurs throughout Brazil — also known as graxaim or bush fox. The gray wolf is the ancestor of the domestic dog. The coyote occurs in the Americas, the golden jackal in Eurasia/Africa, and there are about 14 species of foxes in the genus Vulpes.

4. Identify from photographs/pictures, or in real life, 15 different breeds of dogs.

   Answer: 15 dog breeds: 1) Labrador; 2) German Shepherd; 3) Golden Retriever; 4) Poodle; 5) English Bulldog; 6) Rottweiler; 7) Pinscher; 8) Yorkshire; 9) Shih Tzu; 10) Siberian Husky; 11) Dalmatian; 12) Beagle; 13) Pug; 14) Border Collie; 15) Maltese. Each has a specific origin, size, and function. — The FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) currently recognizes about 360 dog breeds, grouped into 10 groups by historical function (herding, guarding, hunting, companionship, etc.). Labradors and Goldens are the most popular breeds in the world for companionship, and German Shepherds lead in police and military use.

5. Mention 5 contributions of the dog family to humankind.

   Answer: 5 contributions of dogs to humankind: 1) GUARDING (alerting to intruders and defending); 2) HERDING (driving flocks); 3) HUNTING (assisting in searching and tracking); 4) SEARCH AND RESCUE (finding people in disasters); 5) COMPANIONSHIP AND ASSISTED THERAPY (emotional support and therapy for the elderly, children, and people with special needs). — Guide dogs (Labrador, Golden, German Shepherd) have worked with blind people for more than 100 years. Sniffer dogs detect drugs, explosives, COVID-19, and even cancer with 95%+ accuracy. 'Caninotherapy' (therapy with dogs) has been recognized by the WHO since 2010 as an aid in mental health, autism, and rehabilitation.

6. Write or describe orally the importance, for humankind, of the following groups of dogs and mention some equivalent breeds:
   • Guide dogs
   • Sniffer dogs
   • Herding dogs
   • Companion dogs for children
   • Guard dogs
   • Dogs that assist police and firefighters in your region

   Answer: 1) Guide dogs: help blind or low-vision people move around safely, avoiding obstacles and indicating passages. Equivalent breeds: Labrador, Golden Retriever, and German Shepherd. 2) Sniffer dogs: use their keen sense of smell to detect drugs, explosives, missing people, and even diseases, being essential in searches and security. Equivalent breeds: Beagle, Bloodhound (Saint Hubert hound), and Belgian Malinois Shepherd. 3) Herding dogs: drive, gather, and protect flocks of sheep and cattle, helping people in the field. Equivalent breeds: Border Collie, German Shepherd, and Australian Shepherd. 4) Companion dogs for children: offer affection, companionship, and help in the social and emotional development of the young, being docile and patient. Equivalent breeds: Golden Retriever, Labrador, and Beagle. 5) Guard dogs: protect properties, flocks, and people, alerting to and driving away intruders. Equivalent breeds: Rottweiler, Doberman, and Brazilian Fila. 6) Dogs that assist the police and firefighters: work in patrol, capturing suspects, sniffing out drugs/explosives, and searching for victims in collapses and rescues. Equivalent breeds: German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois Shepherd, and Rottweiler. — The German Shepherd is the most versatile breed — used in all roles: guide, sniffer, herder, guard, police, and firefighters. The Belgian Malinois Shepherd surpasses it in some police forces due to its agility. Beagles have the second-best canine sense of smell (300 million receptors) and are preferred at airports for their friendly appearance.

7. Give the name of the smallest and the largest dog breed.

   Answer: The smallest breed is the CHIHUAHUA (15-23 cm tall, 0.5-3 kg, originating from Mexico). The largest breed is the GREAT DANE, with a height of 71-86 cm and a weight between 50-90 kg, originating from Germany. The English Mastiff also competes for the title of largest by weight (up to 100 kg). — Milly, a Chihuahua, entered the Guinness Book in 2013 as the smallest dog in the world (9.65 cm). Zeus, a Great Dane, was recorded at 1.12 m at the withers (2011), considered the largest. The size difference between the Chihuahua and the Great Dane (about 30x in weight) is the greatest within any mammalian animal species.

8. Identify, in person or through photographs/pictures, 5 dogs that are classified as "toy" (dwarf) breeds.

   Answer: 5 toy dogs (miniature/companion, weight generally below 7 kg): 1) Chihuahua (1-3 kg, Mexico); 2) Yorkshire Terrier (2-3 kg, England); 3) Maltese (3-4 kg, the Mediterranean); 4) Pug (6-8 kg, China); 5) Pomeranian/German Spitz (1-3 kg, Germany). All are urban companion breeds. — The FCI groups toy breeds in Group 9 ('Companion and Toy Dogs'). They are dogs bred to live inside the home, with low physical demands, and historically they were luxury breeds of the European nobility (the Maltese at the Roman court, the Pekingese at the Chinese court, the Cavalier King Charles at the English court).

9. Which is the only dog that has an entirely blue or black tongue?

   Answer: The CHOW CHOW is the dog with an entirely blue or purplish-black tongue. Originating from China more than 2,000 years ago, it is a primitive breed. The blue/black pigmentation covers the entire tongue, gums, and lips — a unique genetic characteristic recognized in the breed's official standards. — Only the Chow Chow and its relative the Shar-Pei have a blue/black tongue — all other dogs have a pink tongue (some with small dark spots). The genetics of this pigmentation is dominant and is linked to the gene for active melanin in mucous membranes. The breed is depicted in Chinese paintings from the Han dynasty (206 BC).

10. Which is the fastest dog?

    Answer: The fastest dog is the GREYHOUND, capable of reaching 70 km/h, being the second fastest mammal after the cheetah. Originating from ancient Egypt (depicted in pyramids), it has an aerodynamic body and long legs adapted for short, explosive sprints on a track. — The Greyhound has been the official breed of greyhound racing since the 19th century. It reaches its maximum speed in 6 seconds and maintains it for 30-40 seconds. Its structure is optimized: a large rib cage for lungs and heart, a flexible spring-like spine, and long toes. The cheetah (the fastest mammal) reaches 110 km/h.

11. Write or tell a story about a dog.

    Answer: Famous true stories: Hachiko (a Japanese Akita Inu that waited for its owner at the station for 9 years after his death); Balto (a Husky that led a sled with diphtheria antitoxin in Alaska in 1925, saving children); Laika (a Russian dog, the first animal in orbit in 1957). Bobi (a Portuguese dog) was the oldest dog on record: 31 years.

12. What care should be taken with dogs so that they have a healthy life?

    Answer: Basic care: 1) BALANCED FEEDING with quality food appropriate to age and size; 2) VACCINES up to date (V8/V10 annual, rabies annual); 3) DEWORMING quarterly; 4) regular VETERINARY CHECKUPS; 5) HYGIENE (bathing according to breed, brushing the coat and teeth); 6) daily EXERCISE (walks, play); 7) ATTENTION and companionship. — The average lifespan of a dog ranges from 8-15 years depending on the breed (small breeds live longer than large ones — Chihuahua 15-20 years vs Great Dane 7-10 years). The V10 vaccine protects against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and others. Neutering reduces the risk of mammary cancer in females and prostate cancer in males.

13. Help take care of a dog for at least 1 month.

    Answer: You must help with the care of a dog for at least 1 month — feed it regularly, give it fresh water, brush/bathe it according to the breed, take it for walks or play, keep its space clean, and observe its behavior and health. It can be a family, neighbor's, or shelter dog. Document it with a diary or photos. — A 30-day commitment establishes routine and responsibility — a principle of the Pathfinder Manual. Volunteering at shelters is a valuable alternative: NGOs such as ANDA, AMPARA Animal, and municipal shelters accept accompanied teenagers. The experience builds empathy, discipline, and practical skill with animals.